Protini was the first product that felt like "Wow, that made a difference!" I used a trial size and woke up the next morning feeling like my double chin was much firmer. I've since found products that work better for me, but DE has a special place in my heart for jumpstarting my obsession with skin care.
Important channel update: due to everything going on, I have decided to change the schedule to new long form videos on Monday & Friday, same time (and no Wednesday video). I want to balance creating content and replying to questions/feedback as to me, that’s what makes this channel! Your comments have led to me finding some of these incredible brands (like Stratia, Chogongjin, etc!!) So given the added life burden I’ve taken on recently, I gotta drop one video per week. It’s for the best. Will post this elsewhere as I’m commenting this on a controversial video I knowww lol. But happy Monday, hope you all have a most wonderful week!
Would love a video on outdoor sunscreens like annesa milk, allie uv gel, biore athlizm, hera extreme sport etc. Would also like an update on which product categories you like and how you rotate them throughout the week (vitamin c laa and sap, benzoyl peroxide, adapalene, exfoliant, hydration, devices, etc) basically instead of a routine for say acne how do you rotate actives on a weekly basis 🤔 Anyway just two video ideas :D
I used Drunk Elephant for a couple of years. Honestly, I didn't notice any changes to my skin, except for using TLC. And since I found your channel, I've enjoyed the K beauty products much more!!❤
The only Drunk Elephant product I've used is the Protini and while I liked it, I didn't like it enough to justify the price tag. Very cool that one product made such a difference for you, Alice!
Great video, Alice! I also greatly enjoy TLC Framboos, Lala Whipped AND the fact that I can buy the Vitamin C on sale (or during 10x Ulta points) and let it sit on my shelf for an extended period of time until I’m ready to use/mix it. The Sukari baby facial is the best weekly exfoliant I’ve tried yet and I also enjoy the Protini Resurf serum. It’s a shame DE has gotten a bad rap, as I do love some of their formulations and have no problem saying so. You’ve convinced me to try the Bora repair cream now as well. Thank you, as always, for your fabulous content.
See we think alike there. And 10x should be what, 1-2 months away? Or less? Wish Ulta gave us a bit of a heads up, but since they don’t, stalking the website it is! (I want the new vitamin c serum haha!)
@@AliceintheRabbitHole You’re much better tracking that one than I am but I DO get excited about the 21 days of beauty (renamed to I can’t remember) and almost lose sleep in anticipation. I’ll definitely be watching for the 10x to get my Bora. And, of course, DE Trunk time isn’t far away….
I was lucky enough to find good ole friend Mira , then you and a couple others and was introduced to K and J beauty early on and get my actives and peptides ,C etc from small niche science based brands. So DE holds absolutely zero allure for me. Thank you Alice for always answering my questions and guiding me. ❤❤❤❤
Using the Polypeptide moisturizer was the FIRST and only time i got compliments on my skin!! It was so amazing. Someone saw my skin in daylight at work and said “Wow, your skin is gorgeous!”
I remember trying to find non smelly skincare for my sensitive skin and at the time, that looked like clean beauty. Walked into a store stocking drunk elephant, had no idea, got no help, walked out. Found a little store and they had my money until November last year, then i visited Korea, found your channel, haven't looked back. My 63 year old skin loves you. Such an improvement, so much fun. So. Much. Cheaper. Currently working out what too take for s fortnight's travel to the States and Canada!
Hi Alice - I always enjoy your content!❤ I haven't used anything from Drunk Elephant - I do think I have received some samples before from Sephora, but honestly I think I either gave them away or not to sure what happened to them. I do have thoughts about this brand, not good thoughts (lol) - but having said that I always appreciate the "background" and nitty gritty that you so eloquently deliver when you review different products. I think I wouldn't mind trying at least the Framboos AHA/BHA Serum and the Protini Polypeptide Cream - but I won't go out running to purchase this, but I think I will keep this in the back of my mind to try. Always nice to see you Alice - enjoy your evening! 🌸💮🌸
For me, it’s that I like trying to figure out a brand. And I think with DE, they combine reducing ingredients (2 that I don’t agree with but can’t win them all lol) with adding effective ingredients. It’s a combination that can be helpful, especially for sensitive/reactive skin. Some brands just reduce: the entire label turns into a “free from!” list…but what’s even in the products at that point? And some brands just add and add (those 100+ ingredients list lol). To their credit, DE has good balance there. Granted they aren’t the only option for a good routine ☺️ Hope you have a great evening too!
Hey Alice, it's actually no surprise that the vitamin c serum is fine as long as the powder wasn't mixed with the liquids. That's why our vitamin c supplements survive for two years on the shelf.
I think back in college, I was willing to pay the steep price point for fast results at the price of my skin barrier. (Whoops!) I wanted acne and hyperpigmentation gone as quick as possible. Now that I discovered K beauty, I find playing the long game of gentle ingredients and hydrating my skin is so worth it since the results last longer!
I actually really like DE as a whole. They make 1 of my holy grail products - the Bouncy Brightfacial (azelaic acid + salicylic acid). It works so well for my acne and PIE. I use it every night. I also appreciate that there’s no fragrance in their products
Protini was the first moisturizer I tried years ago when I started my skincare journey and I went to Sephora at 22. It WRECKED my face 😂😢 and triggered my rosacea. I never had skin issues in my life until that product and it triggered me to go down the skincare “rabbit hole”. So I guess- in a way- I am grateful to the protini… Because it set me on my skincare journey… and now I’m a skincare lover and it turned me on to K Beauty etc. It enabled me to start really discovering what my skin needs. But man- NEVER putting DE on my face again!!!! Love you, Alice! 🩵🩵🩵
You should do a Perricone MD review! Expensive but have amazing products and you can get a lot of their stuff on discount at Costco as well as their website constantly has sales! I’m obsessed with several of their products!
I love my Drunk Elephant products! Protini is my favorite moisturizer bc it does not look greasy! I LOVE the TLC GA serum and body lotion is incredible! Love the hydration one light blue love LALA Retro I love their ingredients don’t have essential oils!!!! Which ruined my skin for months! Yes they do have wonderful chemists 🤣🤣🤣 I’ve never done a smoothie I always put serums on first lol idk about the vitamin c haven’t used it or the retinol 🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍 I need a better moisturizer lol I just been mixing squalane oil in with it
As a combo / oily skin gal - I have found that I actually do enjoy having b-hydra in my collection - I finished a bottle and was like “I’m not going to re purchase it” then found myself missing it. Maybe I need a different AM moisturizer and then I’d be able to go without it but for now I ended up picking up another one. I also agree with you on the stratia being a great alternative - right now I use that as my night time moisturizer (thinking when I’m done my current AM gel moisturizer I’ll use it for both). I know you’ve talked about it but stratia as a brand contains some of my non negotiables - like lipid gold 👩🏼🍳 💋
Hah, I do remember your last DE video and how you fell in love with the TLC Framboos! I will say that I still usually have a TLC Framboos mini around and use it as a zit spot treatment. Works really well! My favorite are the moisturizers- Protini is #1, with LaLa Retro as #2 because it's just nurturing and has a nice non-shiny finish. I also like the Vit C (but there are so many less expensive dupes) and their new barrier cream, altho prob not enough to re-buy it. Their C-Tango eye cream is great, tho! Also I like the little bar soaps. I think they're more gentle than the gel. I have enough DE products that I can easily do a DE routine whenever I feel like it. And tbh, those times are generally when for whatever reason (sensitivity, in a rush, etc.) I just want a solid, kind of *basic* but pretty good, no-frills routine.
I used to have oily skin and was able to use the B Hydra as a moisturizer. Now I've been using Proteini (trying to use up what I have). I will say, it does a great job of "fixing" my skin when I slack off and don't take do my skincare like I should. The oil is fine. The Ordinary version isn't that different IMO.
Ah see as a serum/moisturizer all in one, I guess I can see how it could be nice. Tho I still struggle to imagine buying it in 2024 (might have been more novel in 2016/2017!) thank you for sharing!
Great video thank you. My last vacation my life was so crazy I walked into Sephora said I am looking for a travel skincare bag. And for 74$ I was perfect for 5 days.
Hi Alice, I don’t live in the United States, but I watch a lot of videos in English and I remember that years ago Drunk Elephant was very successful and at that time they used the same colors for the packaging and nobody thought that those colors encouraged children to buy their products, in fact, for example, the Bioma brand also uses colorful packaging and nobody thinks that they encourage children to buy their products, I also think that you can find similar products in K-Beauty at a fraction of the cost of Drunk Elephant, which is why many of us opt for Korean cosmetics. Alice, are you happy with 10% azelaic acid? Because I discovered a Japanese brand that has a cream with a concentration of 15% and 20% azelaic acid, it is the Kisocare brand and it has interesting products such as a serum and a human stem cell cream for an unbeatable price. I also wanted to know what you thought of the Girl Cult brand? A huge hug and I hope you are always very well 🥰
Exactly!! Yes I dislike this idea of retroactively deciding why a brand made the color choices they did lol. Maybe they just liked those colors I can’t believe I still haven’t gotten around to hauling the girlcult products! Hopefully soon. They look so pretty!
Hii Alice ! Love your honest reviews and I have same skin type as yours so whenever I purchase something I’d check on your review ! Would you try the shiseido ! I would love to see your perspective on the brand now I ve seen your video that was made 6 years ago but a lot of our opinions have changed on skincare since then !!
I really like drunk elephant lippe. I have given it as gifts and people really like it too. I never liked Protini lotion. Alice you look good in the yellow sunshine shirt and I love the army green shirt. It made your eye really stand out
I do not shop at Sephora or buy DE products. And if parents buy expensive products for their children, it's none of my business. However, as a GenX woman in my 50's that has a small budget for skin care, my thought on the Sephora Kids - "F" around and find out. After they over exfoliate, burn their skin, and don't want to be seen in public, their parents can start homeschooling.😜😜😜 Many blessings!!!💖💖💖
I like thick creams so I don’t mind the lack of silicones in the Protini Polypeptide. The steep price point is definitely an issue. I’d like to try Stratia Interface though.
I always found myself wishing there are more of those in k-beauty. I’ve found a few tho! P.calm’s cato cream, some by mi beta panthenol, round lab soybean panthenol just to name a few ☺️ I also wanted to rec you a Pacifica cream but then thought “I wonder if they discontinued it” and…they discontinued it. Pacifica. I love them dearly, but they never keep their products around 😩
@@AliceintheRabbitHole I wonder if it has to do with being able to continue to obtain ingredients or if its more about competition with other brands. The only Pacifica product I’ve tried is the Vegan Ceramide Barrier Cream and that too is another one where people don’t like how the product absorbs. It’s still pretty decent, the niacinamide gives you a little boost of glow. Thank you for the K-beauty recommendations!
Great review, thanks! I’m so tired of “this ten creams are protini dupes just because they have some peptides in it”. Not a fan of DE personally - once at the beginning of my skin care journey I got their C firma that was so so so oxidized and I had no idea back then. It was the priciest product I’ve purchased ever at this time and it was so disappointing.
@@AliceintheRabbitHole not when 10 year olds are buying them out. Lol. I have also been interested in their azelaic acid mask but I have prescription so really no need. Have you ever looked at the Theramid 15% azelaic treatment? Probably worth checking out.
Kudos on bypassing the hype haha! It’s so funny how this brand has been in and out of hype AND drama, non stop for …7 years (but who’s counting lol) Hope you have a great week! 🥰
I think these brand re-review videos are so interesting. More please! 😀 I've never had interest in Drunk Elephant except when Bouncy Brightfacial came out. I tried it and my skin immediately flared up. Not sure what that was about about since both azelaic and salicylic acids are friends to my skin. On paper it's the perfect product for me but reality said NO.
Question: I just got gifted some DE mini's from a family member who didn't want them. It includes some of the old formula Vitamin C serums. I haven't pumped them out to see if it's oxidized but I suspect it's a high probability that they are. Can they be used on the body for KP marks or are they useless?
Hi Alice, I agree with you about silicones. They help. My skin isn’t dry but the DE moisturizers didn’t work for me. Protini I did like at first. But I didn’t feel it moisturized after if absorbed. The lala just seemed heavy and dry after it dried down. I have a lot of issues with products not absorbing a lot of the time. Not with these but other problems. Honestly, I need to do my nighttime routine at least 2 hours before bed if I don’t want to be stuck to my pillowcase. Very frustrating. As I don’t want to lose valuable ingredients into my pillow. Which is a silk pillowcase. Trying to cover all the bases
Funny, Protini was my least favorite. I don’t like Stratia either 😮. I am just happy that I am not on that bandwagon anymore of buying Drunk Elephant. Can’t afford it anymore. Anyways, glad we can have you whenever you have us.
Honestly, I preferred the lala before they reformulated it. Since then, I’ve discovered that my skin really loves the skinceuticals 2:4:2 and sulwhasoo classic, more than it did the drunk elephant; so I haven’t really looked back.
I bought a few DE products back in 2018 and enjoyed them, but couldn't justify the cost to keep repurchasing. Would love to hear your best recs for affordable alternatives to Framboos!
To this day, I don’t have a product that really is a singular dupe to TLC framboos. However! I do suspect you could get a similar effect from combining high strength AHA products with calming products (of which there are a ton in K-Beauty)
I believe the issue about tweens and teens using skin care stemmed from the use of AHAs and BHAs that are too strong for their skin. I saw a dermatologist talking about seeing kids with chemical burns. But I blame the parents for that, not Sephora.
I just used the minis of the cleansing balm which was awful, it stank and was so pasty. The protini cream was nice but not enough hydration for my skin. Have not used the rest but I hate this brand and their image. They are also overpriced imo. I am a doctor and did see a sephora kid as a patient who came in with dry skin and asked what to do. I asked what she uses, she was 8 and came with her dad, and reeled out this immaculate regime of glow recipe and drunk elephant… I just had to have a moment of silence before reverting to my doctor self and advising on otherwise “uncool” stuff, like Cetraben and Epaderm which is what we prescribe for eczema… I never thought Id interact with a sephora kid in the flesh.
As much as I don’t agree with “no lists”, at least drunk elephant kept it to reasonable ingredients. Unlike brands that don’t include formaldehyde, lead, anti freeze, etc.
I really wish I didn't love the DE moisturizers the way I do. I have all three of them and love them so much. I also love the protini serum. They just work so well on my skin but I really dislike the brand's behavior.
wow i've been watching you for a really long time. the protini and lala retro are staples in my routine. i've been using the lala retro forever (i seemed to be the lone person back then who thought it was better than the protini). If it gets discontinued i will be majorly bummed. I guess i should try the barrier cream. I really did not like the sunscreen (non-tinted version). It just sweats off so quickly and my face got burned. And even when my routine was all DE, i never understood the point of B-Hydra. I used to buy the marjula oil, but i replaced it with the ordinary version for the same results.
Time flies doesn’t it! Nah it was odd, Lala Retro was always a bit underrated. I am guessing it’s because you could “see” the results best if your skin needed calming. Otherwise, it’s just kind of a thick product, I suspect? (Now I’m guessing because my skin often does need calming, lol!) Alas, Bora Barrier really is an upgrade imo!
@@AliceintheRabbitHole I just have dry skin. I just like how moisturizing it feels at night. I think my skin just responds to all the oils it contains. Honestly surprised it was in the top 5.
Wait just a minute OMG DID IT!?! I think you’re right!!! I wonder if they dropped the active % in light of releasing TLC Sukari (which really was way too much for my skin oof)
I bought the Geek and Georgus C glow and the peptide serum can't wait to try them. My first time trying GG o they gave me a mini mist as a new sign up i thought i order the big botle of it as well but it's not on my invoice. I am trying so hard for the L absoric vitamin c I just want my skin to love it like other people and being like 13$ and everyone loving it because it's like skin ceutical I was like I'll try it I mean at least I am not spending a ton if it doesn't work out . I have been waiting for that Peptide serum to come into stock for awhile. Their is this vita c serum I want to try that is packaged like Malano cc but it's 15% air tight u can't squeeze anything back in it but it's like 85$ called the poem by the lab . But that's way to much for a ingredient that might not work. 😂 I remember those D. 🐘 Days when I use to love that exfoliating mask with the pink top and I wanted everything from the brand I use to use the over price C eye cream and the peptide moisturizer. I almost feel like it's an expensive a.. kids brand now with ingredients that are not for young skin because you can barely get anything in store , it's a nightmare. Kids trying to grow up way to fast and spend way to much money. * I missed the 30% off Peach and Lilly sale at Ulta I was so sad their was a few newer things I wanted to try . I just think their are other brands and products better then DE now .
YES oh my gosh I’ve seen the testers at Sephora (and now Ulta too) and it’s just…such a mess. Although I did get an interesting experience recently in a Sephora as a 7-8 yr old girl held the door open for me. It kind of made me realize how much the way kids are raised makes a difference (she was being raised right!) I’m curious to hear how that vitamin c goes for you! I’ve thought about repurchasing it, but I’m more interested in the derivatives at this exact moment. Still, might come back around to L-AA someday!
They’ve used bright colors on their packaging since the beginning, and the “Sephora kids” thing didn’t happen until 2023/2024…. If the colors were intended to attract kids… it took quite a while
I haven’t yet, but I have considered it! And I haven’t heard of that but can I play the guessing game: is it lots of blush to mimic a sunburn?? (If so…sigh. Better than the real thing I suppose!! 🤣)
@@AliceintheRabbitHole Yes, lots of blush and there's even folks imitating tan lines on the body. While most people are using makeup, some folks are actually deliberately subjecting themselves to sunburns.
Right lol. It’s amazing how parent companies will own two …uhhh…siblings?! (They are called sister brands aren’t they!) - with completely differing views. Amazingly, market research has found this doesn’t hurt the brands, but rather encourages sales. Somehow!
I haven’t done more than try a few samples of Drunk Elephant. I am happier with European Cosmeceuticals and KBeauty products. I find Drunk Elephant kind of expensive.
Unsurprisingly I guess, given what’s happened with clean beauty. No less disappointing though (and hey, Pacifica is clean and still takes a strong stance!!)
I think the Manyo bifida biome concentrate cream might be a good alternative to the DE protini peptide moisturizer 😊 waiting to pick it up after I finish up a few others I have open rn I also really enjoy the DE azelaic acid product. The combo of AA with that lower percentage salicylic acid acid (Paula’s Choice has a similar product) really changed the game for my congestion/blackhead/sebaceous filament prone skin. 2% was always too drying, and I hadn’t found an active I could use consistently enough to see results UNTIL I learned about azelaic acid 😍 so fair DE and PC’s booster have been the best for me in terms of effectiveness (but PCs ethics I don’t agree with), followed by Peach Slices then Cos de Baha (the texture tho is my beef), and lastly Nineless (which failed to even maintain the results I achieved with the PC). Next on my list to try are Naturium’s 10% emulsion, then maybe Geek & Gorgeous APad derivative or step it up to Dermatica’s 15% 🤔😊 Before I started using retinoids late last year, I also really enjoyed their Protini powerpeptide resurfacing serum with 10% lactic acid! However, I’ve now gotten a chemical burn the last 4 times I’ve tried to use it 🫠
It’s so interesting how similar our experiences are with AzA - down to the texture of cdb not being great lol (although I’ve put up with it for many bottles…might be hitting my limit tho!)
Protini was the first product that felt like "Wow, that made a difference!" I used a trial size and woke up the next morning feeling like my double chin was much firmer. I've since found products that work better for me, but DE has a special place in my heart for jumpstarting my obsession with skin care.
That’s so interesting. We had similar but different experiences, it seems (I still remember being so wowed by TLC framboos!) Thanks for sharing ☺️
What else works for you? My neck needs a little help! I have been using the stratia rewind and a lot of other k beauty (I live in South Korea)
@@ashcraft555 uh what better products did you find?
@@AliceintheRabbitHoleyes the tlc is incredible!!!
Important channel update: due to everything going on, I have decided to change the schedule to new long form videos on Monday & Friday, same time (and no Wednesday video).
I want to balance creating content and replying to questions/feedback as to me, that’s what makes this channel! Your comments have led to me finding some of these incredible brands (like Stratia, Chogongjin, etc!!) So given the added life burden I’ve taken on recently, I gotta drop one video per week. It’s for the best.
Will post this elsewhere as I’m commenting this on a controversial video I knowww lol. But happy Monday, hope you all have a most wonderful week!
Balance is important. In skincare and in life. Totally understand the need to back off a little with TH-cam. Take care of yourself Alice!!
Thank you for understanding! 🥰
Thanks for letting us know and I think most people understand the need for balance.
Thanks for the update, and good for you for taking care of yourself. 💛
❤❤❤
Would love a video on outdoor sunscreens like annesa milk, allie uv gel, biore athlizm, hera extreme sport etc.
Would also like an update on which product categories you like and how you rotate them throughout the week (vitamin c laa and sap, benzoyl peroxide, adapalene, exfoliant, hydration, devices, etc) basically instead of a routine for say acne how do you rotate actives on a weekly basis 🤔
Anyway just two video ideas :D
Ooh great suggestions, thank you!
Love hearing thoughts on Drunk Elephant from this perspective of efficacy and formulation!
Glad it’s helpful! ☺️
I used Drunk Elephant for a couple of years. Honestly, I didn't notice any changes to my skin, except for using TLC. And since I found your channel, I've enjoyed the K beauty products much more!!❤
And it’s a lot of money saved too 🤐
The only Drunk Elephant product I've used is the Protini and while I liked it, I didn't like it enough to justify the price tag. Very cool that one product made such a difference for you, Alice!
DE has immense competition in 2024! 👀
Oh, Alice! 😍
You look so cute in that outfit! Love it ❤️👌🏼
Thank you! ☺️💕
Great video, Alice! I also greatly enjoy TLC Framboos, Lala Whipped AND the fact that I can buy the Vitamin C on sale (or during 10x Ulta points) and let it sit on my shelf for an extended period of time until I’m ready to use/mix it. The Sukari baby facial is the best weekly exfoliant I’ve tried yet and I also enjoy the Protini Resurf serum. It’s a shame DE has gotten a bad rap, as I do love some of their formulations and have no problem saying so. You’ve convinced me to try the Bora repair cream now as well. Thank you, as always, for your fabulous content.
See we think alike there. And 10x should be what, 1-2 months away? Or less?
Wish Ulta gave us a bit of a heads up, but since they don’t, stalking the website it is! (I want the new vitamin c serum haha!)
@@AliceintheRabbitHole You’re much better tracking that one than I am but I DO get excited about the 21 days of beauty (renamed to I can’t remember) and almost lose sleep in anticipation. I’ll definitely be watching for the 10x to get my Bora. And, of course, DE Trunk time isn’t far away….
I’ll have you know I doubled over in laughter upon reading “renamed to I can’t remember”. SAME. Whatever it is…I await it 🤣😂
@@AliceintheRabbitHole Yes! 😂. It will ALWAYS be 21 Days of Beauty to me!
@@AliceintheRabbitHole Alas, it’s 10X points time! Didn’t budget for that but perhaps it’s Bora Barrier time!
I was lucky enough to find good ole friend Mira , then you and a couple others and was introduced to K and J beauty early on and get my actives and peptides ,C etc from small niche science based brands. So DE holds absolutely zero allure for me. Thank you Alice for always answering my questions and guiding me. ❤❤❤❤
Happy to help! 🥰🥰
@@AliceintheRabbitHole Have you looked into K secret black ginseng I have it as back up to reg red ginseng.
Using the Polypeptide moisturizer was the FIRST and only time i got compliments on my skin!! It was so amazing. Someone saw my skin in daylight at work and said “Wow, your skin is gorgeous!”
Those compliments are so nice to hear! Thanks for sharing ☺️
I haven’t watched one of your videos in a minute but I love your content as someone who works at Ulta ✨
🥰🥰
I remember trying to find non smelly skincare for my sensitive skin and at the time, that looked like clean beauty. Walked into a store stocking drunk elephant, had no idea, got no help, walked out. Found a little store and they had my money until November last year, then i visited Korea, found your channel, haven't looked back. My 63 year old skin loves you. Such an improvement, so much fun. So. Much. Cheaper. Currently working out what too take for s fortnight's travel to the States and Canada!
This is very refreshing.I love how blunt you are about the products.
Hi Alice - I always enjoy your content!❤ I haven't used anything from Drunk Elephant - I do think I have received some samples before from Sephora, but honestly I think I either gave them away or not to sure what happened to them. I do have thoughts about this brand, not good thoughts (lol) - but having said that I always appreciate the "background" and nitty gritty that you so eloquently deliver when you review different products. I think I wouldn't mind trying at least the Framboos AHA/BHA Serum and the Protini Polypeptide Cream - but I won't go out running to purchase this, but I think I will keep this in the back of my mind to try. Always nice to see you Alice - enjoy your evening! 🌸💮🌸
For me, it’s that I like trying to figure out a brand. And I think with DE, they combine reducing ingredients (2 that I don’t agree with but can’t win them all lol) with adding effective ingredients. It’s a combination that can be helpful, especially for sensitive/reactive skin. Some brands just reduce: the entire label turns into a “free from!” list…but what’s even in the products at that point? And some brands just add and add (those 100+ ingredients list lol). To their credit, DE has good balance there.
Granted they aren’t the only option for a good routine ☺️ Hope you have a great evening too!
Hey Alice, it's actually no surprise that the vitamin c serum is fine as long as the powder wasn't mixed with the liquids. That's why our vitamin c supplements survive for two years on the shelf.
Indeed!
I think back in college, I was willing to pay the steep price point for fast results at the price of my skin barrier. (Whoops!) I wanted acne and hyperpigmentation gone as quick as possible. Now that I discovered K beauty, I find playing the long game of gentle ingredients and hydrating my skin is so worth it since the results last longer!
The long game is SO much better!!
OOOO, let me make my tea and tune in. ☕️
I actually really like DE as a whole. They make 1 of my holy grail products - the Bouncy Brightfacial (azelaic acid + salicylic acid). It works so well for my acne and PIE. I use it every night. I also appreciate that there’s no fragrance in their products
Protini was the first moisturizer I tried years ago when I started my skincare journey and I went to Sephora at 22.
It WRECKED my face 😂😢 and triggered my rosacea. I never had skin issues in my life until that product and it triggered me to go down the skincare “rabbit hole”.
So I guess- in a way- I am grateful to the protini…
Because it set me on my skincare journey… and now I’m a skincare lover and it turned me on to K Beauty etc.
It enabled me to start really discovering what my skin needs.
But man- NEVER putting DE on my face again!!!!
Love you, Alice! 🩵🩵🩵
Oh wow! A blessing in disguise, as they say? Glad to hear you found what works for you!
You should do a Perricone MD review! Expensive but have amazing products and you can get a lot of their stuff on discount at Costco as well as their website constantly has sales! I’m obsessed with several of their products!
I love my Drunk Elephant products! Protini is my favorite moisturizer bc it does not look greasy! I LOVE the TLC GA serum and body lotion is incredible! Love the hydration one light blue love LALA Retro I love their ingredients don’t have essential oils!!!! Which ruined my skin for months! Yes they do have wonderful chemists 🤣🤣🤣 I’ve never done a smoothie I always put serums on first lol idk about the vitamin c haven’t used it or the retinol 🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍 I need a better moisturizer lol I just been mixing squalane oil in with it
As a combo / oily skin gal - I have found that I actually do enjoy having b-hydra in my collection - I finished a bottle and was like “I’m not going to re purchase it” then found myself missing it. Maybe I need a different AM moisturizer and then I’d be able to go without it but for now I ended up picking up another one.
I also agree with you on the stratia being a great alternative - right now I use that as my night time moisturizer (thinking when I’m done my current AM gel moisturizer I’ll use it for both). I know you’ve talked about it but stratia as a brand contains some of my non negotiables - like lipid gold 👩🏼🍳 💋
You look gorgeous in those colors. I don't care for DE but I always enjoy watching your reviews. 😊
Hah, I do remember your last DE video and how you fell in love with the TLC Framboos! I will say that I still usually have a TLC Framboos mini around and use it as a zit spot treatment. Works really well!
My favorite are the moisturizers- Protini is #1, with LaLa Retro as #2 because it's just nurturing and has a nice non-shiny finish.
I also like the Vit C (but there are so many less expensive dupes) and their new barrier cream, altho prob not enough to re-buy it. Their C-Tango eye cream is great, tho!
Also I like the little bar soaps. I think they're more gentle than the gel.
I have enough DE products that I can easily do a DE routine whenever I feel like it. And tbh, those times are generally when for whatever reason (sensitivity, in a rush, etc.) I just want a solid, kind of *basic* but pretty good, no-frills routine.
I used to have oily skin and was able to use the B Hydra as a moisturizer.
Now I've been using Proteini (trying to use up what I have). I will say, it does a great job of "fixing" my skin when I slack off and don't take do my skincare like I should.
The oil is fine. The Ordinary version isn't that different IMO.
Ah see as a serum/moisturizer all in one, I guess I can see how it could be nice. Tho I still struggle to imagine buying it in 2024 (might have been more novel in 2016/2017!) thank you for sharing!
Great video thank you. My last vacation my life was so crazy I walked into Sephora said I am looking for a travel skincare bag. And for 74$ I was perfect for 5 days.
Ah true! Yeah their samplers really are so cute. I like that they always have some mini options, usually in sets!
Thank you for an honest review, Alice.
Never tried their products. I’m not sure why, but their products never appealed to me.
Hi Alice, I don’t live in the United States, but I watch a lot of videos in English and I remember that years ago Drunk Elephant was very successful and at that time they used the same colors for the packaging and nobody thought that those colors encouraged children to buy their products, in fact, for example, the Bioma brand also uses colorful packaging and nobody thinks that they encourage children to buy their products, I also think that you can find similar products in K-Beauty at a fraction of the cost of Drunk Elephant, which is why many of us opt for Korean cosmetics. Alice, are you happy with 10% azelaic acid? Because I discovered a Japanese brand that has a cream with a concentration of 15% and 20% azelaic acid, it is the Kisocare brand and it has interesting products such as a serum and a human stem cell cream for an unbeatable price. I also wanted to know what you thought of the Girl Cult brand? A huge hug and I hope you are always very well 🥰
Exactly!! Yes I dislike this idea of retroactively deciding why a brand made the color choices they did lol. Maybe they just liked those colors
I can’t believe I still haven’t gotten around to hauling the girlcult products! Hopefully soon. They look so pretty!
Hii Alice ! Love your honest reviews and I have same skin type as yours so whenever I purchase something I’d check on your review ! Would you try the shiseido ! I would love to see your perspective on the brand now I ve seen your video that was made 6 years ago but a lot of our opinions have changed on skincare since then !!
I really like drunk elephant lippe.
I have given it as gifts and people really like it too.
I never liked Protini lotion.
Alice you look good in the yellow sunshine shirt and I love the army green shirt. It made your eye really stand out
I do not shop at Sephora or buy DE products. And if parents buy expensive products for their children, it's none of my business. However, as a GenX woman in my 50's that has a small budget for skin care, my thought on the Sephora Kids - "F" around and find out.
After they over exfoliate, burn their skin, and don't want to be seen in public, their parents can start homeschooling.😜😜😜
Many blessings!!!💖💖💖
Yuuup, strong skincare products can cause strong reactions!
I like thick creams so I don’t mind the lack of silicones in the Protini Polypeptide. The steep price point is definitely an issue. I’d like to try Stratia Interface though.
I always found myself wishing there are more of those in k-beauty. I’ve found a few tho! P.calm’s cato cream, some by mi beta panthenol, round lab soybean panthenol just to name a few ☺️
I also wanted to rec you a Pacifica cream but then thought “I wonder if they discontinued it” and…they discontinued it. Pacifica. I love them dearly, but they never keep their products around 😩
@@AliceintheRabbitHole I wonder if it has to do with being able to continue to obtain ingredients or if its more about competition with other brands. The only Pacifica product I’ve tried is the Vegan Ceramide Barrier Cream and that too is another one where people don’t like how the product absorbs. It’s still pretty decent, the niacinamide gives you a little boost of glow. Thank you for the K-beauty recommendations!
Great review, thanks! I’m so tired of “this ten creams are protini dupes just because they have some peptides in it”. Not a fan of DE personally - once at the beginning of my skin care journey I got their C firma that was so so so oxidized and I had no idea back then. It was the priciest product I’ve purchased ever at this time and it was so disappointing.
Oxidized vitamin c is deeply disappointing!! I think I’ve never quite let go of my grudge against skinceuticals for the same reason
I have to admit I love DE firma c…the bouncy facial incredible I also buy during Ulta points day
Yuuup!! Should be coming up too! 👀
Happy Monday. Cooking and watching ❌️⭕️
Happy Monday!
I loved the Framboos too! Every now and then I think about getting it but so expensive
Yuuup. It’s a good product but whew. At least run a 50% off sale ONCE, DE! (I don’t think they ever have…)
@@AliceintheRabbitHole not when 10 year olds are buying them out. Lol.
I have also been interested in their azelaic acid mask but I have prescription so really no need. Have you ever looked at the Theramid 15% azelaic treatment? Probably worth checking out.
I was never interested in this brand but I watched the video!
I miss the SR vs DE youtube days 😂😂 I didnt try that many from them each but still watched them
Little did we know that it was good times!!
Great reviews as always Alice. I have never used anything from DE. Have a great week ❌️ ⭕️
Kudos on bypassing the hype haha! It’s so funny how this brand has been in and out of hype AND drama, non stop for …7 years (but who’s counting lol)
Hope you have a great week! 🥰
I think these brand re-review videos are so interesting. More please! 😀
I've never had interest in Drunk Elephant except when Bouncy Brightfacial came out. I tried it and my skin immediately flared up. Not sure what that was about about since both azelaic and salicylic acids are friends to my skin. On paper it's the perfect product for me but reality said NO.
Aw sorry to hear! It’s so frustrating when that happens!! 😞
Glad to hear you’re enjoying these, it’s actually super fun to do them 😁
Question: I just got gifted some DE mini's from a family member who didn't want them. It includes some of the old formula Vitamin C serums. I haven't pumped them out to see if it's oxidized but I suspect it's a high probability that they are. Can they be used on the body for KP marks or are they useless?
Hi Alice, I agree with you about silicones. They help. My skin isn’t dry but the DE moisturizers didn’t work for me. Protini I did like at first. But I didn’t feel it moisturized after if absorbed. The lala just seemed heavy and dry after it dried down. I have a lot of issues with products not absorbing a lot of the time. Not with these but other problems.
Honestly, I need to do my nighttime routine at least 2 hours before bed if I don’t want to be stuck to my pillowcase. Very frustrating. As I don’t want to lose valuable ingredients into my pillow. Which is a silk pillowcase. Trying to cover all the bases
I understand that for sure. Are you able to fall asleep on your back? That’s my strategy (somewhere in my sleep I end up on my side tho, sigh!)
@@AliceintheRabbitHole I wish I could train myself to do that!
Funny, Protini was my least favorite. I don’t like Stratia either 😮. I am just happy that I am not on that bandwagon anymore of buying Drunk Elephant. Can’t afford it anymore. Anyways, glad we can have you whenever you have us.
Honestly, I preferred the lala before they reformulated it. Since then, I’ve discovered that my skin really loves the skinceuticals 2:4:2 and sulwhasoo classic, more than it did the drunk elephant; so I haven’t really looked back.
Some products in there that I would be interested in. Until I saw the price tag 😬
I hear ya!
I bought a few DE products back in 2018 and enjoyed them, but couldn't justify the cost to keep repurchasing. Would love to hear your best recs for affordable alternatives to Framboos!
To this day, I don’t have a product that really is a singular dupe to TLC framboos. However! I do suspect you could get a similar effect from combining high strength AHA products with calming products (of which there are a ton in K-Beauty)
🤣🤣🤣 at the among us reference 🤪
The problem with bora barrier is it has shea which is a poor clogging ingredient
I believe the issue about tweens and teens using skin care stemmed from the use of AHAs and BHAs that are too strong for their skin. I saw a dermatologist talking about seeing kids with chemical burns. But I blame the parents for that, not Sephora.
Indeed, that sounds so sad. Kids should not be getting chemical burns from their skincare!
I just used the minis of the cleansing balm which was awful, it stank and was so pasty. The protini cream was nice but not enough hydration for my skin. Have not used the rest but I hate this brand and their image. They are also overpriced imo.
I am a doctor and did see a sephora kid as a patient who came in with dry skin and asked what to do. I asked what she uses, she was 8 and came with her dad, and reeled out this immaculate regime of glow recipe and drunk elephant… I just had to have a moment of silence before reverting to my doctor self and advising on otherwise “uncool” stuff, like Cetraben and Epaderm which is what we prescribe for eczema… I never thought Id interact with a sephora kid in the flesh.
I used the Protini once and never again, the only one I kept buying is the Vit C
As much as I don’t agree with “no lists”, at least drunk elephant kept it to reasonable ingredients. Unlike brands that don’t include formaldehyde, lead, anti freeze, etc.
I really wish I didn't love the DE moisturizers the way I do. I have all three of them and love them so much. I also love the protini serum. They just work so well on my skin but I really dislike the brand's behavior.
wow i've been watching you for a really long time.
the protini and lala retro are staples in my routine. i've been using the lala retro forever (i seemed to be the lone person back then who thought it was better than the protini). If it gets discontinued i will be majorly bummed. I guess i should try the barrier cream.
I really did not like the sunscreen (non-tinted version). It just sweats off so quickly and my face got burned. And even when my routine was all DE, i never understood the point of B-Hydra. I used to buy the marjula oil, but i replaced it with the ordinary version for the same results.
Time flies doesn’t it! Nah it was odd, Lala Retro was always a bit underrated. I am guessing it’s because you could “see” the results best if your skin needed calming. Otherwise, it’s just kind of a thick product, I suspect? (Now I’m guessing because my skin often does need calming, lol!) Alas, Bora Barrier really is an upgrade imo!
@@AliceintheRabbitHole I just have dry skin. I just like how moisturizing it feels at night. I think my skin just responds to all the oils it contains.
Honestly surprised it was in the top 5.
I grow old
I grow old
I shall wear the bottom of my trousers rolled….
Didn’t TLC Framboos used to be 12%/2%?❤
Wait just a minute
OMG DID IT!?! I think you’re right!!!
I wonder if they dropped the active % in light of releasing TLC Sukari (which really was way too much for my skin oof)
@@AliceintheRabbitHole I will see if I can dig up an old one online.
It used to be called 12% AHA BHA blend. I will have to ponder this!
🤯🤯
Bruh their deodorant is out of this world….for me🤗
I really liked Tamanu oil but then my skin started reacting to it 🤔 I don’t know.
Don't mind me, just commenting for the algorithm
I bought the Geek and Georgus C glow and the peptide serum can't wait to try them. My first time trying GG o they gave me a mini mist as a new sign up i thought i order the big botle of it as well but it's not on my invoice. I am trying so hard for the L absoric vitamin c I just want my skin to love it like other people and being like 13$ and everyone loving it because it's like skin ceutical I was like I'll try it I mean at least I am not spending a ton if it doesn't work out . I have been waiting for that Peptide serum to come into stock for awhile. Their is this vita c serum I want to try that is packaged like Malano cc but it's 15% air tight u can't squeeze anything back in it but it's like 85$ called the poem by the lab . But that's way to much for a ingredient that might not work. 😂
I remember those D. 🐘 Days when I use to love that exfoliating mask with the pink top and I wanted everything from the brand I use to use the over price C eye cream and the peptide moisturizer. I almost feel like it's an expensive a.. kids brand now with ingredients that are not for young skin because you can barely get anything in store , it's a nightmare. Kids trying to grow up way to fast and spend way to much money.
* I missed the 30% off Peach and Lilly sale at Ulta I was so sad their was a few newer things I wanted to try . I just think their are other brands and products better then DE now .
YES oh my gosh I’ve seen the testers at Sephora (and now Ulta too) and it’s just…such a mess. Although I did get an interesting experience recently in a Sephora as a 7-8 yr old girl held the door open for me. It kind of made me realize how much the way kids are raised makes a difference (she was being raised right!)
I’m curious to hear how that vitamin c goes for you! I’ve thought about repurchasing it, but I’m more interested in the derivatives at this exact moment. Still, might come back around to L-AA someday!
They’ve used bright colors on their packaging since the beginning, and the “Sephora kids” thing didn’t happen until 2023/2024…. If the colors were intended to attract kids… it took quite a while
Have you checked out the One Skin peptide products? Also, have you heard of the sunburn makeup trend?
I haven’t yet, but I have considered it!
And I haven’t heard of that but can I play the guessing game: is it lots of blush to mimic a sunburn?? (If so…sigh. Better than the real thing I suppose!! 🤣)
@@AliceintheRabbitHole Yes, lots of blush and there's even folks imitating tan lines on the body. While most people are using makeup, some folks are actually deliberately subjecting themselves to sunburns.
Oh dear. Stick with blush folks, skin peeling/increased cancer risk is not worth a trend…ever (not when tanning was big, and not now!)
Protini is just not as moisturizing enough I switched to Lala and it hydrates more
The suspicious 6 is hilarious since isn’t the brand owned by Shisheido these days? Pretty sure products owned by them contain those ingredients!
Right lol. It’s amazing how parent companies will own two …uhhh…siblings?! (They are called sister brands aren’t they!) - with completely differing views. Amazingly, market research has found this doesn’t hurt the brands, but rather encourages sales. Somehow!
I haven’t done more than try a few samples of Drunk Elephant. I am happier with European Cosmeceuticals and KBeauty products. I find Drunk Elephant kind of expensive.
It’s pricey indeed!
Have you ever thought of making a skincare line?
Nooo haha, the world has enough skincare products. Frustratingly, what it lacks is skincare research. 👀
Please do not talk likeAbbey Yung ( stressing thelast letter of words) I think Abbey sounds funny!
Ello
🐰
I have been using the marula oil from naturium and it’s MUCH cheaper!!!
Did you have filler? Your cheeks look fuller and more rounded...
Alas the are not a loudly and proudly pro choice American brand. I have STILL never purchased from them. 😂
Unsurprisingly I guess, given what’s happened with clean beauty. No less disappointing though (and hey, Pacifica is clean and still takes a strong stance!!)
I think the Manyo bifida biome concentrate cream might be a good alternative to the DE protini peptide moisturizer 😊 waiting to pick it up after I finish up a few others I have open rn
I also really enjoy the DE azelaic acid product. The combo of AA with that lower percentage salicylic acid acid (Paula’s Choice has a similar product) really changed the game for my congestion/blackhead/sebaceous filament prone skin. 2% was always too drying, and I hadn’t found an active I could use consistently enough to see results UNTIL I learned about azelaic acid 😍 so fair DE and PC’s booster have been the best for me in terms of effectiveness (but PCs ethics I don’t agree with), followed by Peach Slices then Cos de Baha (the texture tho is my beef), and lastly Nineless (which failed to even maintain the results I achieved with the PC). Next on my list to try are Naturium’s 10% emulsion, then maybe Geek & Gorgeous APad derivative or step it up to Dermatica’s 15% 🤔😊
Before I started using retinoids late last year, I also really enjoyed their Protini powerpeptide resurfacing serum with 10% lactic acid! However, I’ve now gotten a chemical burn the last 4 times I’ve tried to use it 🫠
It’s so interesting how similar our experiences are with AzA - down to the texture of cdb not being great lol (although I’ve put up with it for many bottles…might be hitting my limit tho!)